So will the NGO of the future be transparent, accountable, focused on people’s empowerment, and basing its work on a framework of human rights, as the Istanbul Principleswould have it? And is that enough?

The NGO of the future should see itself not just as an efficient and accountable machine – it should be the ultimate networking organisation (as argued in this article in Dutch).

In a increasingly globalising world, NGOs can be the link within, and between, societies. NGOs of the future are not merely project implementers, they bring people together and bridge cultural, economic and religious divides. NGOs mediate, dialogue, unite, and engage people. Rather than doers, the NGOs of the future are matchmakers, facilitators and catalysts. NGOs provide the platform where others can utilise their own creativity – the iPhone for other people’s apps, so to speak.

The NGO of the future knows that “partners” are not just the donors and the NGOs in developing countries. It teams up with companies, academics and any other institution or individual that can help it achieve its mission. It knows that innovation is key, and it has the curiosity to want to learn more. It knows how to reach people, how to engage them, and how to inspire them to action.

Michel, I did indeed borrow some inspiration (and phrases) from you, although I had not seen the article on-line. I will insert a link to your article as I update the blog post. I hope you agree that linking the “networking”/apps analogy to the NGO Effectiveness discussion adds to your original post.
Hans

[…] The NGO of the future knows that “partners” are not just the donors and the NGOs in developing countries. It teams up with companies, academics and any other institution or individual that can help it achieve its mission. It knows that innovation is key, and it has the curiosity to want to learn more. It knows how to reach people, how to engage them, and how to inspire them to action. […]